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Asian Age: Biodiversity shenanigans in India

Rare medicinal plants on the verge of extinction and protected under the Wildlife Act continue to be exported with impunity...

Environmental activists are not willing to buy Mr Ramesh’s explanation, especially since the environment ministry notified on October 26, 2009 that 190 plants no longer fell under the provisions of the Biodiversity Act of 2002. These include a whole range of aromatic plants, spices, including black pepper, turmeric, garlic and chillies, and plantation crops like coconut and coffee, as well as cardamom, tamarind, neem and garlic.

Ah notification. Perhaps more of the government of India's decisions could be subjected to more democratic processes ;)